In ovarian cancer maraviroc potentiates the antitumoral activity and further inhibits the formation of a tumor-promoting microenvironment by trabectedin.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the fifth most frequent cause of cancer-related death in women. Chemotherapy agent trabectedin, affecting cancer cells and tumor microenvironment, has been approved for the treatment of relapsed platinum-sensitive OC patients. CCR5-antagonist maraviroc inhibits tumor growth, metastasis, and enhances the antitumoral activity of DNA-damaging drugs. Here, we found that OC cells expressed CCR5 receptor but did not secret CCR5-ligands. Maraviroc treatment did not affect OC cell viability, but strongly potentiated the antiproliferative activity, apoptosis induction, cell cycle blockage, DNA damage, and ROS formation by trabectedin. In A2780cis cisplatin-resistant cells, the cross-resistance to trabectedin was overcame by the combination with maraviroc. Maraviroc enhanced trabectedin cytotoxicity in OC 3Dimensional spheroids and THP-1-monocytes. Both maraviroc and trabectedin interact with drug efflux pump MDR1/P-gp, overexpressed in recurrent OC patients. Maraviroc increased trabectedin intracellular accumulation and the MDR1-inhibitor verapamil, like maraviroc, increased trabectedin cytotoxicity. In OC tumor xenografts the combination with maraviroc further reduced tumor growth, angiogenesis, and monocyte infiltration by trabectedin. In conclusion, this study offers a preclinical rationale for the use of maraviroc as new option to improve trabectedin activity in relapsed chemoresistant OC patients.

In Doxorubicin-Adapted Hodgkin Lymphoma Cells, Acquiring Multidrug Resistance and Improved Immunosuppressive Abilities, Doxorubicin Activity Was Enhanced by Chloroquine and GW4869.

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is a highly curable disease (70-80%), even though long-term toxicities, drug resistance, and predicting clinical responses to therapy are major challenges in cHL treatment. To solve these problems, we characterized two cHL cell lines with acquired resistance to doxorubicin, KM-H2dx and HDLM-2dx (HRSdx), generated from KM-H2 and HDLM-2 cells, respectively. HRSdx cells developed cross-resistance to vinblastine, bendamustin, cisplatin, dacarbazine, gemcitabine, brentuximab vedotin (BV), and γ-radiation. Both HDLM-2 and HDLM-2dx cells had intrinsic resistance to BV but not to the drug MMAE. HDLM-2dx acquired cross-resistance to caelyx. HRSdx cells had in common decreased CD71, CD80, CD54, cyt-ROS, HLA-DR, DDR1, and CD44; increased Bcl-2, CD58, COX2, CD26, CCR5, and invasive capability; increased CCL5, TARC, PGE2, and TGF-ß; and the capability of hijacking monocytes. In HRSdx cells less sensitive to DNA damage and oxidative stress, the efflux drug transporters MDR1 and MRP1 were not up-regulated, and doxorubicin accumulated in the cytoplasm rather than in the nucleus. Both the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine and extracellular vesicle (EV) release inhibitor GW4869 enhanced doxorubicin activity and counteracted doxorubicin resistance. In conclusion, this study identifies common modulated antigens in HRSdx cells, the associated cross-resistance patterns, and new potential therapeutic options to enhance doxorubicin activity and overcome resistance.

Dinuclear gold(I) complexes based on carbene and diphosphane ligands: bis[2-(dicyclohexylphosphano)ethyl]amine complex inhibits the proteasome activity, decreases stem cell markers and spheroid viability in lung cancer cells.

Three new dinuclear gold(I) complexes (1-3) containing a carbene (1,3-Bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IPr)) and diphosphane ligands [bis(1,2-diphenylphosphano)ethane (Dppe), bis(1,3-diphenylphosphano)propane (Dppp) and bis[2-(dicyclohexylphosphano)ethyl]amine (DCyPA)], were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and, ESI-MS, mid FT-IR and NMR spectroscopic methods. The structures of complexes 2 and 3 were determined by X-ray crystallography, which revealed that the complexes are dinuclear having gold(I) ions linearly coordinated. The anticancer activities of the complexes (1-3) were evaluated in lung (A549), breast (MC-F7), prostate (PC-3), osteosarcoma (MG-63) and ovarian (A2780 and A2780cis) cancer models. Growth inhibition by the new complexes was higher than cisplatin in all cell lines tested. The mechanism of action of complex 3 was investigated in A549 cells using 2-dimensional (2D) models and 3D-multicellular tumor spheroids. Treatment of A549 cells with complex 3 caused: the induction of apoptosis and the generation of reactive oxygen species; the cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase; the inhibition of both the proteasome and the NF-kB activity; the down-regulation of lung cancer stem cell markers (NOTCH1, CD133, ALDH1 and CD44). Complex 3 was more active than cisplatin also in 3D models of A549 lung cancer cells.

Design, Synthesis, and Preclinical Activity in Ovarian Cancer Models of New Phosphanegold(I)-N-heterocyclic Carbene Complexes.

A new series of seven gold(I) complexes (1-7) containing 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IPr) and phosphane ligands (L1-L7) were synthesized and evaluated for antitumor activity in ovarian cancer (OvCa) models. The synthesized complexes were characterized by IR, mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy, and complex 6 was characterized by XRD crystallography. The antiproliferative effect of the new complexes (1-7) was found to be higher than cisplatin and auranofin in OvCa cells sensitive and resistant to cisplatin. The anticancer activity of the most active complex 6 was investigated using OvCa in vitro models, including three-dimensional (3D) multicellular tumor spheroids and in vivo tumor xenografts. Both cisplatin and auranofin were used for comparative purposes. Complex 6 induced apoptosis, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, and DNA damage; caused a G1 phase cell cycle arrest, inhibited proteasome activity, and cell migration; modified actin polymerization; and significantly inhibited OvCa murine xenografts. These promising results suggest further preclinical testing of these complexes for future applications.

Current and Emerging Approaches to Study Microenvironmental Interactions and Drug Activity in Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma is characterized by a few tumor cells surrounded by a protective and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) composed by a wide variety of noncancerous cells that are an active part of the disease. Therefore, new techniques to study the cHL-TME and new therapeutic strategies targeting specifically tumor cells, reactivating the antitumor immunity, counteracting the protective effects of the TME, were developed. Here, we describe new methods used to study the cell composition, the phenotype, and the spatial distribution of Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells and of noncancerous cells in tumor tissues. Moreover, we propose a classification, with increasing complexity, of the in vitro functional studies used to clarify the interactions leading not only to HRS cell survival, growth and drug resistance, but also to the immunosuppressive tumor education of monocytes, T lymphocytes and fibroblasts. This classification also includes new 3-dimensional (3D) models, obtained by cultivating HRS cells in extracellular matrix scaffolds or in sponge scaffolds, under non-adherent conditions with noncancerous cells to form heterospheroids (HS), implanted in developing chick eggs (ovo model). We report results obtained with these approaches and their applications in clinical setting.

Analogs of a Natural Peptaibol Exert Anticancer Activity in Both Cisplatin- and Doxorubicin-Resistant Cells and in Multicellular Tumor Spheroids.

Peptaibols, by disturbing the permeability of phospholipid membranes, can overcome anticancer drug resistance, but their natural hydrophobicity hampers their administration. By a green peptide synthesis protocol, we produced two water-soluble analogs of the peptaibol trichogin GA IV, termed K6-Lol and K6-NH2. To reduce production costs, we successfully explored the possibility of changing the naturally occurring 1,2-aminoalcohol leucinol to a C-terminal amide. Peptaibol activity was evaluated in ovarian cancer (OvCa) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cell lines. Peptaibols exerted comparable cytotoxic effects in cancer cell lines that were sensitive-and had acquired resistance-to cisplatin and doxorubicin, as well as in the extrinsic-drug-resistant OvCa 3-dimensional spheroids. Peptaibols, rapidly taken up by tumor cells, deeply penetrated and killed OvCa-spheroids. They led to cell membrane permeabilization and phosphatidylserine exposure and were taken up faster by cancer cells than normal cells. They were resistant to proteolysis and maintained a stable helical structure in the presence of cancer cells. In conclusion, these promising results strongly point out the need for further preclinical evaluation of our peptaibols as new anticancer agents.

In Ovarian Cancer Multicellular Spheroids, Platelet Releasate Promotes Growth, Expansion of ALDH+ and CD133+ Cancer Stem Cells, and Protection against the Cytotoxic Effects of Cisplatin, Carboplatin and Paclitaxel.

A high platelet count is associated with a poor prognosis in ovarian cancer (OvCa). Despite good clinical responses with platinating agents in combination with taxanes, numerous OvCa patients relapse due to chemotherapy resistance. Here, we report that treatment of OvCa cells A2780, OVCAR5 and MDAH with releasate from activated platelets (PR) promoted multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) formation. These OvCa-MCTSs had increased percentages of CD133+ and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)+ cells, bona fide markers of OvCa cancer stem cells (CSCs). PR increased OVCAR5- and MDAH-MCTS viability and decreased the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of paclitaxel, cisplatin and carboplatin. PR increased the volume of spontaneously formed OVCAR8-MCTSs and counteracted their size reduction due to cisplatin, carboplatin and paclitaxel treatment. PR promoted the survival of ALDH+ and CD133+ OvCa cells during cisplatin, carboplatin and paclitaxel treatment. In conclusion, molecules and growth factors released by activated platelets (EGF, PDGF, TGF-ß, IGF and CCL5) may protect tumor cells from chemotherapy by promoting the expansion of ALDH+ and CD133+ OvCa-CSCs, favoring drug resistance and tumor relapse.

Trabectedin overcomes doxorubicin-resistance, counteracts tumor-immunosuppressive reprogramming of monocytes and decreases xenograft growth in Hodgkin lymphoma.

Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) tumor cells are surrounded by a protective tumor microenvironment (TME). Trabectedin, an anticancer drug targeting both tumor cells and TME, demonstrated a potent antitumor activity against Hodgkin Reed Sternberg (HRS) cells. It was cytotoxic against cHL cell lines, including the doxorubicin-resistant clones, with subnanomolar IC50 values, and inhibited clonogenic growth and heterospheroid cell viability. It induced necroptosis, caused DNA damage, G2/M cell cycle arrest, and increased reactive oxygen species production. It reduced HRS cell secretion of CCL5, M-CSF, IL-6, IL-13 and TARC, and inhibited migration. Conditioned medium from trabectedin-treated HRS cells was less chemoattractive toward monocytes, mesenchymal stromal cells and lymphocytes, and less effective in educating monocytes to become immunosuppressive macrophages. These monocytes expressed lower levels of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1, CD206 and PD-L1, secreted lower amounts of IL-10, TARC, and TGF-ß, and were less able to inhibit the growth of activated lymphocytes. In vivo, trabectedin inhibited by >75% the growth of cHL murine xenografts with minimal weight loss; tumors of trabectedin-treated mice had fewer TAMs and less angiogenesis. Altogether, this study offers a preclinical rationale for trabectedin use as a new drug candidate in relapsed/refractory cHL patients.

The CCL5/CCR5 Axis in Cancer Progression.

Tumor cells can "hijack" chemokine networks to support tumor progression. In this context, the C-C chemokine ligand 5/C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCL5/CCR5) axis is gaining increasing attention, since abnormal expression and activity of CCL5 and its receptor CCR5 have been found in hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Numerous preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies have shown a key role of the CCL5/CCR5 axis in cancer, and thus provided the rationale for clinical trials using the repurposed drug maraviroc, a CCR5 antagonist used to treat HIV/AIDS. This review summarizes current knowledge on the role of the CCL5/CCR5 axis in cancer. First, it describes the involvement of the CCL5/CCR5 axis in cancer progression, including autocrine and paracrine tumor growth, ECM (extracellular matrix) remodeling and migration, cancer stem cell expansion, DNA damage repair, metabolic reprogramming, and angiogenesis. Then, it focuses on individual hematological and solid tumors in which CCL5 and CCR5 have been studied preclinically. Finally, it discusses clinical trials of strategies to counteract the CCL5/CCR5 axis in different cancers using maraviroc or therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Primed with Paclitaxel Inhibit Ovarian Cancer Spheroid Growth and Overcome Paclitaxel Resistance.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) primed with paclitaxel (PTX) are now hypothesized to represent a potential Trojan horse to vehicle and deliver PTX into tumors. We analyzed the anticancer activity of PTX released by ADSCs primed with PTX (PTX-ADSCs) (~20 ng/mL) in a panel of ovarian cancer (OvCa) cells sensitive or resistant to PTX. We used two (2D) and three dimensional (3D) in vitro models (multicellular tumor spheroids, MCTSs, and heterospheroids) to mimic tumor growth in ascites. The coculture of OvCa cells with PTX-ADSCs inhibited cell viability in 2D models and in 3D heterospheroids (SKOV3-MCTSs plus PTX-ADSCs) and counteracted PTX-resistance in Kuramochi cells. The cytotoxic effects of free PTX and of equivalent amounts of PTX secreted in PTX-ADSC-conditioned medium (CM) were compared. PTX-ADSC-CM decreased OvCa cell proliferation, was more active than free PTX and counteracted PTX-resistance in Kuramochi cells (6.0-fold decrease in the IC50 values). Cells cultivated as 3D aggregated MCTSs were more resistant to PTX than 2D cultivation. PTX-ADSC-CM (equivalent-PTX) was more active than PTX in MCTSs and counteracted PTX-resistance in all cell lines. PTX-ADSC-CM also inhibited OvCa-MCTS dissemination on collagen-coated wells. In conclusion, PTX-ADSCs and PTX-MSCs-CM may represent a new option with which to overcome PTX-resistance in OvCa.

Comment on "Fibroblasts in Nodular SclerosingClassical Hodgkin Lymphoma Are Defined by a Specific Phenotype and Protect Tumor Cells from Brentuximab-Vedotin Induced Injury" Cancers 2019, 11, 1687.

We read with great interest the recent publication by Bankov et al. where they described the characteristics and functional activity of fibroblasts in Nodular Sclerosis (NS) Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL) [1]. The authors compared the gene expression and methylation profiles of fibroblasts isolated from primary lymph node suspensions and from lymphadenitis, founding significant differences, including a down regulation of the IL-7R gene and a strong up regulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3). The authors reported that conditioned medium from Hodgkin and Reed Sternberg (HRS) tumor cells increased NS cHL fibroblast proliferation and that tumor cells were protected against the cytotoxic effects of Brentuximab-Vedotin by cHLfibroblasts [1]. [...].

Formation of the Immunosuppressive Microenvironment of Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma and Therapeutic Approaches to Counter It.

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is characterized by a few tumor cells surrounded by a protective, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment composed of normal cells that are an active part of the disease. Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells evade the immune system through a variety of different mechanisms. They evade antitumor effector T cells and natural killer cells and promote T cell exhaustion. Using cytokines and extracellular vesicles, they recruit normal cells, induce their proliferation and "educate" (i.e. reprogram) them to become immunosuppressive and protumorigenic. Therefore, alternative treatment strategies are being developed to target not only tumor cells but also the tumor microenvironment. Here we summarize current knowledge on the ability of HRS cells to build their microenvironment and to educate normal cells to become immunosuppressive. We also describe therapeutic strategies to counteract formation of the tumor microenvironment and related processes leading to T cell exhaustion and repolarization of immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages.

Potent In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Activity of New Bipyridine and Bipyrimidine Gold (III) Dithiocarbamate Derivatives.

We synthesized eight new bipyridine and bipyrimidine gold (III) dithiocarbamate-containing complexes (C1-C8) and tested them in a panel of human cancer cell lines. We used osteosarcoma (MG-63), lung (A549), prostate (PC3 and DU145), breast (MCF-7), ovarian (A2780 and A2780cis, cisplatin- and doxorubicin-resistant), and cervical (ME-180 and R-ME-180, cisplatin resistant) cancer cell lines. We found that C2, C3, C6, and C7 were more cytotoxic than cisplatin in all cell lines tested and overcame cisplatin and doxorubicin resistance in A2780cis and R-ME-180 cells. In the PC3 prostate cancer cell line, the gold (III) complex C6 ([Au2(BPM)(DMDTC)2]Cl4) induced apoptosis and double-stranded DNA breaks, modified cell cycle phases, increased Reactive Oxigen Species (ROS) generation, and reduced thioredoxin reductase and proteasome activities. It inhibited PC3 cell migration and was more cytotoxic against PC3 cells than normal human adipose-derived stromal cells. In mice bearing PC3 tumor xenografts, C6 reduced tumor growth by more than 70% without causing weight loss. Altogether, our results demonstrate the anticancer activity of these new gold (III) complexes and support the potential of C6 as a new agent for prostate cancer treatment.

CCR5 antagonism by maraviroc inhibits Hodgkin lymphoma microenvironment interactions and xenograft growth.

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma tumor cells express a functional CCR5 receptor, and tumor tissues express high CCL5 levels, suggesting that CCL5-CCR5 signaling is involved in tumor-microenvironment formation and tumor growth. Using the CCR5 antagonist, maraviroc, and a neutralizing anti-CCL5 antibody, we found that CCL5 secreted by classic Hodgkin lymphoma cells recruited mesenchymal stromal cells and monocytes. The "education" of mesenchymal stromal cells by tumor cell-conditioned medium enhanced mesenchymal stromal cells' proliferation and CCL5 secretion. In turn, educated mesenchymal stromal cell-conditioned medium increased the clonogenic growth of tumor cells and monocyte migration, but these effects were reduced by maraviroc. Monocyte education by tumor cell-conditioned medium induced their growth and reprogrammed them towards immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages that expressed IDO and PD-L1 and secreted IL-10, CCL17 and TGF-ß. Educated monocyte-conditioned medium slowed the growth of phytohemagglutinin-activated lymphocytes. Maraviroc decreased tumor cell growth and synergized with doxorubicin and brentuximab vedotin. A three-dimensional heterospheroid assay showed that maraviroc counteracted both the formation and viability of heterospheroids generated by co-cultivation of tumor cells with mesenchymal stromal cells and monocytes. In mice bearing tumor cell xenografts, maraviroc reduced tumor growth by more than 50% and inhibited monocyte accumulation, without weight loss. Finally, in classic Hodgkin lymphoma human tumor tissues, CCL5 and CD68 expression correlated positively, and patients with high CCL5 levels had poor prognosis. In conclusion, since the present challenges are to find molecules counteracting the formation of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment or new, less toxic drug combinations, the repurposed drug maraviroc may represent a new opportunity for classic Hodgkin lym phoma treatment.

Improved GMP compliant approach to manipulate lipoaspirates, to cryopreserve stromal vascular fraction, and to expand adipose stem cells in xeno-free media.

BACKGROUND: The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) derived from adipose tissue contains adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASC) and can be used for regenerative applications. Thus, a validated protocol for SVF isolation, freezing, and thawing is required to manage product administration. To comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), fetal bovine serum (FBS), used to expand ASC in vitro, could be replaced by growth factors from platelet concentrates. METHODS: Throughout each protocol, GMP-compliant reagents and devices were used. SVF cells were isolated from lipoaspirates by a standardized enzymatic protocol. Cells were cryopreserved in solutions containing different albumin or serum and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) concentrations. Before and after cryopreservation, we analyzed: cell viability (by Trypan blue); immunophenotype (by flow cytometry); colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) formation; and differentiation potential. ASC, seeded at different densities, were expanded in presence of 10% FBS or 5% supernatant rich in growth factors (SRGF) from platelets. The differentiation potential and cell transformation grade were tested in expanded ASC. RESULTS: We demonstrated that SVF can be obtained with a consistent yield (about 185 × 103 cells/ml lipoaspirate) and viability (about 82%). Lipoaspirate manipulation after overnight storage at +4 °C reduced cell viability (-11.6%). The relative abundance of ASC (CD34+CD45-CD31-) and endothelial precursors (CD34+CD45-CD31+) in the SVF product was about 59% and 42%, respectively. A period of 2 months cryostorage in autologous serum with added DMSO minimally affected post-thaw SVF cell viability as well as clonogenic and differentiation potentials. Viability was negatively affected when SVF was frozen at a cell concentration below 1.3 × 106 cells/ml. Cell viability was not significantly affected after a freezing period of 1 year. Independent of seeding density, ASC cultured in 5% SRGF exhibited higher growth rates when compared with 10% FBS. ASC expanded in both media showed unaltered identity (by flow cytometry) and were exempt from genetic lesions. Both 5% SRGF- and 10% FBS-expanded ASC efficiently differentiated to adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: This paper reports a GMP-compliant approach for freezing SVF cells isolated from adipose tissue by a standardized protocol. Moreover, an ASC expansion method in controlled culture conditions and without involvement of animal-derived additives was reported.

Inhibition of the CCL5/CCR5 Axis against the Progression of Gastric Cancer.

Despite the progress made in molecular and clinical research, patients with advanced-stage gastric cancer (GC) have a bad prognosis and very low survival rates. Furthermore, it is challenging to find the complex molecular mechanisms that are involved in the development of GC, its progression, and its resistance to therapy. The interactions of chemokines, also known as chemotactic cytokines, with their receptors regulate immune and inflammatory responses. However, updated research demonstrates that cancer cells subvert the normal chemokine role, transforming them into fundamental constituents of the tumor microenvironment (TME) with tumor-promoting effects. C-C chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) is a chemotactic cytokine, and its expression and secretion are regulated in T cells. C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) is expressed in T cells, macrophages, other leukocytes, and certain types of cancer cells. The interaction between CCL5 and CCR5 plays an active role in recruiting leukocytes into target sites. This review summarizes recent information on the role of the CCL5 chemokine and its receptor CCR5 in GC cell proliferation, metastasis formation, and in the building of an immunosuppressive TME. Moreover, it highlights the development of new therapeutic strategies to inhibit the CCL5/CCR5 axis in different ways and their possible clinical relevance in the treatment of GC.

Radiotherapy prolongs the survival of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients undergone to an immune-modulating treatment with dose-fractioned cisplatin and metronomic etoposide and bevacizumab (mPEBev).

Radiotherapy (RT), together with a direct cytolytic effect on tumor tissue, also elicits systemic immunological events, which sometimes result in the regression of distant metastases (abscopal effect). We have shown the safety and anti-tumor activity of a novel metronomic chemotherapy (mCH) regimen with dose-fractioned cisplatin, oral etoposide and bevacizumab, a mAb against the vasculo-endothelial-growth-factor (mPEBev regimen), in metastatic non-small-cell-lung cancer (mNSCLC). This regimen, designed on the results of translational studies, showed immune-modulating effects that could trigger and empower the immunological effects associated with tumor irradiation. In order to assess this, we carried out a retrospective analysis in a subset of 69 consecutive patients who received the mPEBev regimen within the BEVA2007 trial. Forty-five of these patients, also received palliative RT of one or more metastatic sites. Statistical analysis (a Log-rank test) revealed a much longer median survival in the group of patients who received RT [mCH vs mCH + RT: 12.1 +/-2.5 (95%CI 3.35-8.6) vs 22.12 +/-4.3 (95%CI 11.9-26.087) months; P=0.015] with no difference in progression-free survival. In particular, their survival correlated with the mPEBev regimen ability to induce the percentage of activated dendritic cells (DCs) (CD3-CD11b+CD15-CD83+CD80+) [Fold to baseline value (FBV) ≤1 vs >1: 4+/-5.389 (95%CI,0- 14.56) vs 56+/-23.05 (95%CI,10.8-101.2) months; P:0.049)] and central-memory- T-cells (CD3+CD8+CD45RA-CCR7+) [FBV ≤ 1 vs >1: 8+/-5.96 (95%CI,0-19.68) vs 31+/-12.3 (95%CI,6.94-55.1) months; P:0.045]. These results suggest that tumor irradiation may prolong the survival of NSCLC patients undergone mPEBev regimen presumably by eliciting an immune-mediated effect and provide the rationale for further perspective clinical studies.

Self-assembling nanoparticles encapsulating zoledronic acid inhibit mesenchymal stromal cells differentiation, migration and secretion of proangiogenic factors and their interactions with prostate cancer cells.

Zoledronic Acid (ZA) rapidly concentrates into the bone and reduces skeletal-related events and pain in bone metastatic prostate cancer (PCa), but exerts only a limited or absent impact as anti-cancer activity. Recently, we developed self-assembling nanoparticles (NPS) encapsulating zoledronic acid (NZ) that allowed a higher intratumor delivery of the drug compared with free zoledronic acid (ZA) in in vivo cancer models of PCa. Increasing evidence suggests that Bone Marrow (BM) Mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) are recruited into the stroma of developing tumors where they contribute to progression by enhancing tumor growth and metastasis.We demonstrated that treatment with NZ decreased migration and differentiation into adipocytes and osteoblasts of MSCs and inhibited osteoclastogenesis. Treatment with NZ reduced the capability of MSCs to promote the migration and the clonogenic growth of the prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and DU145. The levels of Interleukin-6 and of the pro-angiogenic factors VEGF and FGF-2 were significantly reduced in MSC-CM derived from MSCs treated with NZ, and CCL5 secretion was almost totally abolished. Moreover, treatment of MSCs with supernatants from PC3 cells, leading to tumor-educated MSCs (TE-MSCs), increased the secretion of IL-6, CCL5, VEGF and FGF-2 by MSCs and increased their capability to increase PC3 cells clonogenic growth. Treatment with NZ decreased cytokine secretion and the pro-tumorigenic effects also of TE-MSCS. In conclusion, demonstrating that NZ is capable to inhibit the cross talk between MSCs and PCa, this study provides a novel insight to explain the powerful anticancer activity of NZ on PCa.

New bipyridine gold(III) dithiocarbamate-containing complexes exerted a potent anticancer activity against cisplatin-resistant cancer cells independent of p53 status.

We synthesized, characterized and tested in a panel of cancer cell lines, nine new bipyridine gold(III) dithiocarbamate-containing complexes. In vitro studies demonstrated that compounds 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 were the most cytotoxic in prostate, breast, ovarian cancer cell lines and in Hodgkin lymphoma cells with IC50 values lower than the reference drug cisplatin. The most active compound 1 was more active than cisplatin in ovarian (A2780cis and 2780CP-16) and breast cancer cisplatin-resistant cells. Compound 1 determined an alteration of the cellular redox homeostasis leading to increased ROS levels, a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome-c release from the mitochondria and activation of caspases 9 and 3. The ROS scavenger NAC suppressed ROS generation and rescued cells from damage. Compound 1 resulted more active in tumor cells than in normal human Mesenchymal stromal cells. Gold compounds were active independent of p53 status: exerted cytotoxic effects on a panel of non-small cell lung cancer cell lines with different p53 status and in the ovarian A2780 model where the p53 was knocked out. In conclusion, these promising results strongly indicate the need for further preclinical evaluation to test the clinical potential of these new gold(III) complexes.